Bear Your Soul
Jon Fischer
Coach Cub is a men's nutrition and lifestyle coach who works primarily with clients in the bear community. He's all about taking simple, practical steps and helping you find your authentic path to wellness. He's also the co-founder of Pawed NYC, a bear wellness group that hosts events like bear yoga, cuddle piles, nutrition workshops, […]
Jermaine Blackwell
[SPRING FLING HOST] Jermaine Blackwell is the newest addition to the Spring Fling team and BYS family. A native of Kansas City, Missouri and current resident of New York City, Jermaine is actor, singer, dancer, producer, content creator, comedian, storyteller, advocate, truth-teller, and potato chip connoisseur. Jermaine believes in deep connection, honest conversation and creating […]
other Community Activities
In addition to the activities and workshops led by our Bear Your Soul presenters, we also have a number of activities we do as a community with various presenters! Welcome Reception - Get acquainted before our first dinner with a selection of wine, non-alcoholic beverages, cheese and crackers Opening Circle - It's time to meet your Bear […]
Joey Ponzo
SINGLES WEEKEND PRESENTER By day Joey Ponzo is a computer trainer in New York City, but by night he's a ballroom & latin competitive dancer. After winning the 1995 Gold Medal in Novice Team Rollerdance (similar to Ice Dancing), he got scooped up into the world of ballroom dancing. He's proficient in the Tango, Waltz, […]
Dominic Vine
BYS PRESENTER - [PRESENTING: MASSAGE IN THE STYLE OF MAKING LOVE and TAOIST EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE] *Massage in the Style of Making Love* - There are countless techniques in the art of massage, but presence is key. In this workshop we will practice specific ways to touch people, but more importantly we will talk about and practice the ways […]
Henry Schoenfield
Henry Schoenfield is a lifelong spiritual seeker and leader. As an ordained minister, certified life coach, spiritual director, and meditation teacher, he is committed to helping people to discover freedom in their lives and work by helping them to connect to inner wisdom and guidance.
Jay Cummings
Jay is a therapist with a thriving private practice in Stratford, Connecticut. His journeys through Easton, Buddhist, Catholic, and Faerie communities have informed his life and practice deeply.
Jon Tucker
[SPRING FLING HOST] Jon Tucker AKA Eternal Shimmer is a 5 time BYS Alum who has led workshops and small groups. He is passionate about creating space for men to explore their identity. He is co-creator of Pawed NYC which holds wellness events for the Bear Community and is the founder of Growl NYC & Philly […]
Robby Piazzaroli
Robby is a public relations professional by trade, Italian by blood and a New England boy through and through. He has a love of movies, especially horror, with a passion for all things Harry Potter.
JR Price
[SPRING FLING PRESENTER] JR Price (aka Starshine) is a singer, songwriter, actor and performer spreading messages of body positvity with his music. Since attending his first Loving Our Bodies workshop at North American Bear in 2014, he has become big part of Bear Your Soul, assisting at Bear Your Soul and travelling with Bear Your […]
Freddy Freeman
Freddy Freeman, AKA Goldenheart, is an award winning Singer-Songwriter, music producer, festival organizer and workshop facilitator. After over a decade of going to Bear events, he wanted one that fostered deeper interactions and real community, so he created Bear Your Soul at Easton Mountain. He is also the facilitator of Bear Your Soul's core workshop Loving […]
Steven Farrington
Steven Farrington is an author, traveler, lover of languages and a professor in a community college. He also loves comedy in virtually all its forms and enjoys helping to bring sketch comedy and bear-themed parodies, or "bearodies" to BYS.
Dave Dietz (AKA DJ Purple Turtle)
Dave Dietz is a photographer who is best known for his spirited and candid portraits of men. His distinctive images have appeared in various print and online publications and exhibits, and he has been the official photographer for more than fifty retreats at Easton Mountain. He is also an amateur DJ with a flair for […]
Fred Cicerelli
BYS LOGISTICS COORDINATOR ABOUT FRED: Fred Cicerelli is a community activist who began as a volunteer for the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Long Island for 16 years. He began as a phone volunteer doing peer counseling and outreach. During this time he assisted with fundraising and also held the position of executive chairperson for 2 […]
Adam Shapiro
BYS HOST - [PRESENTING: THE ART OF THE TEASE and NAKED IMPROV] *The Art of the Tease* - So much these days is so overt. Over time, we’ve gone from saying and doing too little to saying and doing too much. With the advent of the apps, first meetings have gone from a handshake to a […]
JoJo Bear
JoJo Bear is a Somatic Sex & intimacy Educator located in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a certified Sexological Bodyworker, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Somatic Coach. JoJo’s passion is teaching the Wheel of Consent™ and Belly2Belly Embodiment. JoJo is currently training as one of the future Body Electric School teachers. Check out his website […]
Jay Freeman
Jay Freeman AKA Laniakea is a graphic designer, musician, dancer, introvert, nature-lover, and anosmic. Along with his husband Freddy Freeman, he is a co-host and organizer of Bear Your Soul retreats at Easton Mountain. He is a co-leader of Loving Our Bear Bodies workshops and leads cuddle parties at Bear Your Soul events, and at […]
David Phillips
David Phillips is the Founder and President of Energetic Awakenings. He is a leader in mind, body, and spirit healing. David works with clients to identify root causes that prevent them from being their full selves and to take action to achieve personal transformation. His main goal is to help each client Live Life Fully! David holds his Master's […]
Tom Workman (Laughing Spirit)
Tom Workman aka Laughing Spirit has been on the host committee for 5 years. He has a passion for helping gay men find their spiritual awakening and divine higher self. He is a certified Reiki practitioner, crystal energy healer, card reader, channel, and spiritual teacher. He runs several local MeetUps to help men find their […]
Wayne Leiss
SINGLES WEEKEND PRESENTER Wayne Leiss is a speaker, educator, licensed massage therapist in Connecticut and certified Essential Oil Coach. He has studied the use of Symphony of the Cells essential oil protocols to support healthy body system response to maintain balance and harmony. He especially enjoys sharing the benefits of dōTERRA Essential Oils and teaches […]
Shane Scott.
BYS PRESENTER - [PRESENTING: SELF-CARE & SELF-LOVE and EMBRACING FEAR] *Self-care & Self-love* - We will discuss what it means to be truly love and take care of ourselves. This will be an opportunity to self-reflect and learn ways to take better care of ourselves, so that we can be a great partner in our relationships. We […]
Sean McLaughlin
BYS DANCE DJ - [PRESENTING: SUPERHERO DANCE PARTY] *Superhero Dance Party* - Get in costume as your favorite comic book and movie heroes and villains to dance the night away! DJ Sean McLaughlin of HomoRadio on WRPI 91.5 FM (HomoRadio.org) is coming with superpowered music and a heroic light show! ABOUT SEAN: We're thrilled to welcome back […]
Rev Yolanda
BYS PRESENTER - [PRESENTING: DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR and INSPIRATIONAL BRUNCH!] *Drag Queen Story Hour* - Join Rev Yolanda for bear storytime during breakfast in the Sun Room! Drag Queen Story Hour is a program that Yolanda and other gender non conforming performers bring to public libraries for children, and we are bringing it to you to touch the […]
Rev. Glen Morton Ganaway CIM
BYS PRESENTER - [PRESENTING: MORNING MEDITATION and LAWS OF CHAOS] *Morning Meditation* - Get centered for the day and connect your spirit! [with Rev Yolanda] *Laws of Chaos* - 5 Reasons Relationships Fail! Our belief in Chaos is keeping us lonely and afraid. Building Community one relationship at a time! [with Rev Yolanda] ABOUT Rev Glen: Interfaith Minister, Integral Mentor, […]